The ICE Chest The Monthly Newsletter of the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center
EXPRESS YOURSELF... February 2012
Director’s Message What is your passion? Or more importantly, what are you passionate about? This is a question that was posed to the 40 students who participated in the first ever “The Movement: An Exploration of Civil Rights and Social Justice” trip prior to the beginning of the semester. As you will read later in this newsletter, the trip was quite moving and inspirational for the students who were fortunate enough to attend. Most of the students answered this question differently, and decided to apply for the trip for many different reasons. In the end, I think they all agreed that they learned a valuable lesson from visiting and learning about some of the many individuals who participated in the Civil Rights Movement in the south. You see, it was these individuals’ passion that drove the movement. The passion to work and stand up for rights that they believed they deserved and not be discouraged by the violence that was directed towards them.
So, I ask each of you (our readers), what are you passionate about? Are you ready to be an agent of change in exploring that passion, or will you simply sit on the sidelines. Imagine how different our country would be had not the hundreds of individuals who participated in marches, sat at lunch counters, rode on busses, risked their lives trying to integrate schools, and endured vicious beatings and lynchings chose to not get involve and explore their passion for basic human rights? You see the truth of the matter is that the Civil Rights Movement was not about Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Medgar Evers, or even Malcolm X. It was about the lesser known individuals who saw a wrong and decided that it was important for them to get involved. They were the movement. Now, it’s your turn to take your passion and convert it into action. This is part of your life journey, don’t ignore it. YOU ARE THE MOVEMENT!!! Marlon
Have You Considered Giving a Helping Hand to Incoming Freshmen? Applications due Friday, February 10, 2012 p.m. A peer mentor is an undergraduate (sophomore, junior, senior) UTSA student who is in good standing with the university. Peer mentors volunteer their time to assist incoming freshman get acclimated to the campus. They are there to be a resource to the freshman student and offer guidance, answer questions, and provide information about campus and community resources. Mentors will communicate frequently with their mentees and make face to face contact at least once per month. For more information, contact engaged@utsa.edu.
The Movement: An Exploration of Civil Rights The Student Leadership Center and the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center took 40 students across four states to participate in The Movement: An Exploration of Civil Rights. This program allowed for UTSA students to leave the state of Texas and become immersed in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Students visited historical markers such as the 9th Ward, the Civil Rights Institute, 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park and the National Civil Rights Museum. The trip ended with students participating in the MLK March back in San Antonio. Accompanying the visits to the historically recognized sites and nationally known museums was a set curriculum created to promote awareness of social justice issues. Students learned through documentaries, reflection papers, group discussions, and presentations from guest speakers and activists. The Movement took place January 10-14, 2012. The trip took students from San Antonio, TX to New Orleans, LA to Birmingham, AL and then onto Memphis, TN. Students also participated in the MLK March on January 16, 2012. Students shared about the impact The Movement had on them personally, as well as how their experience will impact their involvement at UTSA.
“I used to think that obstacles and trials that we face are put in our lives for us to overcome, learn from, and become a better person. After The Movement, I feel that I cannot truly grow from a situation if I don’t give back to my community after becoming a better person. I plan to devote time toward giving back and because of The Movement, know anytime is a good time to start. Life is too short to wait around; I want to be a pioneer of change.” – Justina Williams
“More than anything this trip has helped me realiz that civil rights and social justice issues aren’t ideas, but a lifelong movement. While on the trip I made a pledge to myself that I would stand-up and support others in their fight within ‘The Movement no matter how big or small the battle.”- DeMarcus Lewis
“Words cannot describe how I feel, pictures canno capture the growth, the change or the empowerme that I feel inside. But my actions will be a true testament of how impactful this trip was, and appreciative I am of those who contributed to it. I will wait no longer, the movement starts now.” – Charnelle Thompson
To read about the students’ experiences and view our photos, check out The Movement facebook, www.facebook.com/movement2012. Contact the Student Leadership Center (210-458-7967) or the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center (21 458-4770)
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Student Organization Spotlight National Pan-Hellenic Council
The National Pan-Hellenic Council serves as the governing body of all affiliate organizations; promotes standards of scholarship, a greater degree of culture, closer social fellowship and a stronger inter-fraternal spirit among the affiliate members; and stimulates affiliate organizations to foster and sponsor projects which encourage educational, moral and cultural progress of the campus and community. “UTSA'S NPHC is like one big family and we are always there for each other no matter what Greek organization we are a part of,” NPHC Vice President Kiara Gradney. “NPHC has made the commitment to be the first Greek Council on campus to require its council's organizations to participate in inter and intra council events to encourage Greek unity.”
National Pan-Hellenic Council is made up of the incorporated undergraduate fraternity and sorority chapters: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. “NPHC WEEK is February 19-24,2012 and we hope every one can come out to each event to support us,” said Gradney. “Please look for posters for more information.” For more information about National PanHellenic Council visit http://www.utsa.edu/sa/ greeklife/NPHC/index.cfm.
Student Spotlight Malcolm Ramey
“The choices we make about the lives we live determine the kinds of legacies we leave.” Tavis Smiley
Malcolm Ramey has been working on the legacy he will be leaving at The University of Texas at San Antonio since he left his home in the Acres Homes community of Houston and set foot on the campus. As a sophomore majoring in Communications and minoring in Sociology, he discovered a passion for working with students after working as an Orientation Leader this past summer. This passion has led him to want to pursue a career in Student Affairs and Higher Education.
After seeing a need for first year students to have guidance after orientation, he and a friend created the iMentor Association which then partnered with the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center’s Roadrunner Connections. This fall, a peer mentor aspect will be added to the program under the leadership of Malcolm Ramey and Jerome Scott.
When he finds free time, you will usually find him volunteering with VOICES at Haven for Malcolm has been making the right choices; Hope and St. Vinny’s Bistro or hanging out with his friends on campus or at various he got involved immediately and has social events. Malcolm has his mind set on participated in 13 student organizations, holding leadership positions in many of them. leaving a positive legacy on the UTSA campus, one of which would be to become Currently he is the Treasurer of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc; Special Events Chair of the next Mr. UTSA and strengthen his skill in performing his Orientation Leader “Daddy the Student Organization Council; Public Stroke” Dance. Relations Chair of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity; and Orientation Leader and an RA at Chapparal Village.
7th Annual
Finding Your Voice. Sharing Your Vision. A One-Day Conference for UTSA Students
Saturday, February 11, 2012 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM University Center Registration forms are available online at Utsa.edu/sa/so Deadline: February 1 Leadership NOW! Questions: 210.458.4160 Visit the Office of Student Activities getinvolved@utsa.edu
*FREE TO UTSA STUDENTS*
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@utsavolunteers @utsa_ice
Outstanding Black Student Leadership Award This award will honor deserving UTSA students who have shown strong Leadership Skills and Service towards the community. Application requirements: Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.75 Must be a senior with at least 60 credit hours earned at UTSA Must show campus leadership involvement Must actively show service towards the community Applications must be submitted to the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center ~ UC 2.01.04 by February 17, 2012. The award will be presented at the Soul Food Event on Monday March 5, 2012 at 6:30 PM in the University Center Denman Room. The application will be available at www.utsa.edu/ice
Inclusion and Community Engagement Center, The Brackenridge Endowment Fund, and Black Faculty and Staff Association present
The 2012 Black History Knowledge Bowl
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B L AC K H I S T O RY K N OW L E D G E B OW L 210.458.4770 | engaged@utsa.edu | www.utsa.edu\ice
Kick off event in recognition of UTSA Black History Month Events Bob Marley Musical Tribute. Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Paseo area outside of Subway from12noon-1:00pm. Hosted by Tony Daniels-Campus Recreation (tony.daniels@utsa.edu)
"Application For Manhood" Presentation by Bryant K. Smith (invited speaker from Clemson University). Texas Room, Rec Center, February 8, 7:00 pm. Contact Tony Daniels for additional information.
Tony.Daniels@utsa.edu
Sunday Feb 12 Mr. Ivy League 6:00 PM Main Campus University Center Ballroom
Thursday Feb 16 He Said… She Said… Sex… Lies… and Christianity 7:00 PM Main Campus
EXPRESS YOURSELF
Tell us how you
discrimination and receive a free Crush Orange Soda. February 3, 2012 - 11 A.M. - 1 P.M. UC Paseo Inclusion and Community Engagement (ICE) Center Staff Marlon D. Anderson Director
Ann Margaret Trujillo Associate Director
Jennifer Rames Assistant Director
Brian Jantz Administrative Assoc.
Cristina Dominguez Graduate Assistant
Corey Benson Graduate Assistant
Vanessa Vela Graduate Assistant
Eraldo Elizondo Senior Student Assistant
Charles Miles Student Assistant
Marcos Vargas Student Assistant
UC 2.01.04 210-458-4770 www.utsa.edu/ice
Follow Us @UTSAvolunteers & @UTSA_ICE Like Us Facebook.com/ICEatUTSA